OPPONENTS AT A GLANCEMINNESOTA WILD – Head Coach: Mike Yeo… Record: 25-19-8, 58 pts… Have gone 12-12-5 on the road, but are 2-5-3 in their last 10 away from home… Standings: 2nd/Northwest Division… 8th/Western Conference… Leading Scorer: LW Dany Heatley (17-21-38, 52 GP)… Leading Goaltender: Niklas Backstrom (14-12-5, 2.30 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 SO in 32 GP)… All-Time Series: Jackets are 19-18-4, including 13-6-1 at home… Columbus went 3-1-0 in 2010-11… All four games last year were decided by one goal… This Season: Third and fourth of four meetings… Wild won 4-2 at home on Oct. 8 and 4-2 at Columbus on Nov. 15.

DALLAS STARS – Head Coach: Glen Gulutzan… Record: 27-22-2, 56 pts… Standings: 3rd/Pacific Division… 9th/Western Conference… Stars are 15-0-0 when leading after two periods… Leading Scorer: LW Jamie Benn (15-31-46, 46 GP)… Leading Goaltender: Kari Lehtonen (19-11-1, 2.38 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO in 32 GP)… All-Time Series: Jackets are 14-24-5, including 7-11-3 at home… Columbus is 11-8-4 vs. Dallas since the start of the 2006-07 season… Jackets went 2-2-0 in 2010-11… This Season: Fourth of four meetings… Stars won 4-2 at Dallas on Oct. 15 and 3-2 at Columbus on Oct. 18… Jackets won 4-1 at Dallas on Dec. 29.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
Jan. 31 – at San Jose 6, BLUE JACKETS 0: Joe Thornton scored a pair of goals and added an assist, while Joe Pavelski tallied 1-1-2 to lead the Sharks to the win in the first game for both teams following the All-Star break. San Jose scored twice in each period and out shot Columbus 43 to 30 in the game. The 43 shots were the most allowed by the Jackets this season… Steve Mason made 37 saves for Columbus, while Antti Niemi made 30 saves to record the shutout for San Jose. The game marked the second shutout loss of the season for the Blue Jackets… Feb. 1 at Los Angeles 3, BLUE JACKETS 2: Drew Doughty’s controversial power play goal with 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation lifted Los Angeles to the win, spoiling Columbus’ comeback effort. The Jackets erased 1-0 and 2-1 deficits thanks to goals by Derek Dorsett and Colton Gillies, the latter tying the game at 2-2 4:52 into the third period. Curtis Sanford made 30 saves in net for the Blue Jackets, while Jonathan Quick turned aside 20 shots for the Kings. Los Angeles went 2-of-3 on the power play, while Columbus was 0-of-3… Feb. 3 – BLUE JACKETS 3, at Anaheim 2(OT):Derick Brassard registered his first career multi-goal game with his second of the night coming at 3:55 of overtime to snap the Blue Jackets’ six-game winless streak. A pair of Teemu Selanne goals staked the Ducks to 1-0 and 2-1 leads before goals by Brassard in the second period and Jeff Carter early in the third equalized for Columbus. Curtis Sanford made 33 saves to pick up the win in net, while Jonas Hiller made 18 saves for Anaheim. The Ducks went 1-of-5 on the power play with each attempt coming in the second period, while the Jackets were 1-of-4 with the man advantage.

TEAM NOTES
After playing six-straight games on the road between Jan. 21 and Feb. 3, Columbus will play eight of its next 11 at Nationwide Arena… Columbus is 5-6 in games decided in OT/SO this season, including 2-1 in overtime and 3-5 in shootouts… The Blue Jackets have eight wins when out shot by the opposition and six wins when holding the advantage in shots on goal… C Andrew Joudrey became the 18th player to make his CBJ debut this season at Los Angeles on Feb. 1 and also became the sixth Blue Jacket to make his NHL debut this season… Twenty-eight different players have scored goals for the Blue Jackets this season, which leads the NHL and ties the franchise record (2003-04 and 2010-11).

SANFORD CONTINUES TO THRIVE BETWEEN THE PIPES
G Curtis Sanford has gone 4-5-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and one shutout in his last 10 starts since January 5. During that span, he has registered 30 or more saves and allowed two goals or less six times. He has appeared in 27 games this season and is 9-12-4 with a 2.56 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and one shutout.

Brassard

BRASSARD BACK ON TRACK
After being held to 2-3-5 in his first 24 games this season, C Derick Brassard has racked up 7-7-14 in his last 20 games with all four of his multi-point games and both of his game-winning goals coming during that span. He registered the first multi-goal game of his NHL career with a pair of goals, including the first overtime tally of his career, in a 3-2 win at Anaheim on Feb. 3. He has picked up points in three of the last four games (2-2-4) and has 9-10-19 in 44 games this season.

VERMETTE’S RESURGENCE CONTINUES
C Antoine Vermette has picked up 2-8-10 in the last 16 games since opening the season with 4-8-12 in his first 36 outings. He has tallied 1-7-8 with points in eight of the last 11 games and has now played in 233 consecutive games, which is the third-longest streak in club history and the longest current streak among Blue Jackets. He has also won 59 of his last 94 face-offs (62.7 percent) over the last six games and ranks seventh in the NHL in face-off win percentage (57.1 percent).

PLAYER NOTES
Rookie D John Moore has picked up assists in each of the past two games and logged a career-high 26:37 of ice time at Anaheim on Feb. 3… C Jeff Carter scored a goal at Anaheim on Feb. 3 in his first game back after missing the previous 10 games due to injury. He has picked up 11-4-15 in his last 23 games… LW Vinny Prospal snapped a nine-game points drought with assists in his last two games… RW Colton Gillies scored his first goal as a Blue Jacket at Los Angeles on Feb. 1 in his seventh game with the club… RW Derek Dorsett scored his career-high ninth goal at Los Angeles on Feb. 1 (his previous high was four in each of his first three seasons)… G Steve Mason played in his 200th NHL game at San Jose on Jan. 31.

CAREER FAIR SET FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9
The Columbus Blue Jackets will hold its seventh annual Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 9 at Nationwide Arena starting at 12:30 p.m. The event gives current college students, recent graduates and experienced professionals access to hiring personnel from the area’s professional sports teams, college programs and other leading businesses. The complete registration package includes entry to the career fair, a panel discussion featuring sports executives, a free Blue Jackets hat and a ticket to that night’s game vs. the Dallas Stars. More information and online registration is available at BlueJackets.nhl.com/careerfair2012. Advance registration is $26 and day-of the event registration is $36. Additional game tickets may also be purchased for $26. For more information CLICK HERE or call (614) 246-3972.

BLACK TIE BLUE JACKETS STYLE SHOW COMING FEBRUARY 16
This year’s Black Tie Blue Jackets Style Show, presented by Kelly BMW, AEP and Capital Style, will be held at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16 to benefit the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation and the fight against pediatric cancer. The event, which last year raised a record $200,000, begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and model meet & greet presented by Heidelberg Distributing followed by a sit-down dinner and style show featuring Blue Jackets players, their wives & girlfriends, and pediatric cancer heroes. For more information, visit www.BlackTieBlueJackets.org.

WIN A NIGHT IN THE MILLER LITE POWER PLAY SUITE
In conjunction with Giant Eagle, Miller Lite and 97.1 The Fan, the Blue Jackets are offering fans the chance to win tickets in the Miller Lite Power Play Suite when the club hosts the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Fans can enter by using the in-store QR code found on Miller Lite point-of-sale materials at area Giant Eagle locations or at 97.1 The Fan’s website: www.971thefan.com. Winners and their guests will receive free food and beverage and a gift bag courtesy of Giant Eagle and the Blue Jackets.

PAPA JOHN’S FUTURE JACKETS
Coaches and parents are encouraged to enter to win the opportunity of a lifetime for their mini-mite, mite or squirt hockey team. The Future Jackets presented by Papa John’s gives teams the chance to play during an intermission at select Blue Jackets home games. Winners receive 50 game tickets, gift bags and T-shirts and entry can be found at www.BlueJackets.com/PapasFutureJackets.

PAPA JOHN’S MONDAYS
Fans get free toppings on Papa John’s pizza (large cheese for $9.99) every Monday for each goal scored by the Blue Jackets in their most recent game. Fans can double the toppings after a win! Order by phone or at www.papajohns.com (promo code: CBJMonday).

SUBWAY FOUR SUBS, FOUR STUBS OFFER RETURNS
Fans can visit any Columbus-area SUBWAY® restaurant and buy four Footlongs™ and receive a voucher for four Blue Jackets tickets for only $5 each (while supplies last). Vouchers are to be redeemed at the Nationwide Arena Box Office and the offer is valid for the following games: Feb. 7 vs. Minnesota, Feb. 14 vs. St. Louis and Feb. 21 vs. San Jose. If $5 seats sell out, the vouchers are valid for $5 off a full-price ticket for the above games. Each voucher also includes a free Blue Jackets/Subway T-shirt.

SKYLINE CHILI BLUE JACKETS FAMILY FOUR PACK
Fans can visit their local Skyline Chili restaurant to enter to win four tickets to a weekend home game, a $40 Skyline Chili gift card and a group photo with Blue Jackets mascot, Stinger. Ten winners will be chosen throughout the season with the contest concluding on Mar. 9.

2012 PUCKS AND PAWS CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE
The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation announces the release of the 2012 Pucks and Paws Calendar presented by Petland. The calendar features Blue Jackets players alongside assistance dogs and puppies in training from Canine Companions for Independence®, the nation’s largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities. Priced at $15, the calendar is available now and features players pictured with the dogs and puppies from Canine Companions include Rick Nash, Jared Boll, Grant Clitsome, Derek MacKenzie and Marc Methot while photos of Matt Calvert, Mark Dekanich, Steve Mason, R.J. Umberger, Antoine Vermette and James Wisniewski also feature the player’s personal pets alongside dogs from Canine Companions. Fans can purchase the calendar at the Foundation Kiosk during Blue Jackets home games or at www.BlueJacketsFoundation.org.

THIS WEEK ON JACKETS TV AT BLUEJACKETS.COM
This week’s scheduled Jackets TV programming includes: the Top 5 Plays of the Week (vote for your favorite); a behind-the-scenes look at Blue Jackets players getting ready for in the annual Black Tie Blue Jackets Style Show; a feature story on local hockey player Zach Johnson, who recently attended a Blue Jackets game with NHL legend Willie O’Ree and has overcome adversity in his young hockey career; complete practice and game day coverage; and more.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE JACKETS
Fans can follow the Blue Jackets online, watch game highlights, press conferences and exclusive behind-the-scenes video content on Jackets TV at BlueJackets.com. Fans can also get up-to-the-minute news and stories by following the Blue Jackets on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL. “Like” the club’s official Facebook® page and get the latest club news and promotions, videos, photos, updates and interact with other fans at www.facebook.com/OfficialColumbusBlueJackets. Check out great videos on the club’s YouTube channel as well at www.YouTube.com/BlueJacketsNHL.

BLUE JACKETS MOBILE APP NOW AVAILABLE
The Blue Jackets official mobile app gives fans a new way to follow the team using their smart phones and mobile devices. The app is currently available in the iTunes and Android Market app stores. Fans can download the NHL GameCenter app and select the Blue Jackets as their favorite team to access the team’s schedule/results, game play-by-play, statistics, NHL standings, game photos, player profiles and updated news. iPhone and iPad users can track shots and goals with the 3D Ice Tracker. All users will also be able to watch features from Jackets TV at BlueJackets.com and purchase single game tickets from within the app.

BLUE JACKETS MEDIA GUIDE AVAILABLE AT iTUNES STORE
The Columbus Blue Jackets 2011-12 Interactive Media Guide is available for free at the iTunes Store as fans now can download the media guide to their computer, iPad or iPhone. The guide contains interactive player bios, as well as detailed team historical and statistical information and records. View 2011-12 Media Guide

BLUE JACKETS ON FOX SPORTS OHIO
Blue Jackets hockey returns to FOX Sports Ohio in 2011-12 with 79 live telecasts in high definition. Game night coverage includes the BLUE JACKETS LIVE pre- (begins 30 minutes prior to the start of each game) and post-game shows… BLUE JACKETS SLAP SHOTS has returned to FOX Sports Ohio each week during the 2011-12 season. Check it out Mondays at 6 p.m.

BLUE JACKETS ON THE RADIO
The AlarmForce Blue Jackets Sunday Morning Skate can be heard on the Wheeling Island Hotel & Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network and Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan on Sundays from 10 to 11 a.m. with hosts Bob McElligott and Mark Wyant… The Columbus Blue Jackets Coach’s Show with Todd Richards airs on Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

BLUE JACKETS “PRESS BOX” AT BLUEJACKETS.COM
The Blue Jackets have created a “Press Box” microsite on BlueJackets.com with daily updates of the following: press releases, news articles, media clips, game notes, post-game notes, videos posted on Jackets TV, post-game audio, weekly reports, as well as NHL stats and standings and a link to the 2011-12 interactive media guide. The site is located under the “News” module at the top of the BlueJackets.com home page or at the following link – bluejackets.nhl.com/pressbox.

TICKET INFORMATION
Single Game: Tickets starting at $26 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line Team Stores at OhioHealth Chiller Easton, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin, OhioHealth Chiller North and the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.BlueJackets.com and www.ticketmaster.com… Season & Group Tickets: For information on full and partial season ticket plans starting at $15 per game and group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or (800) NHL-COLS or visit www.BlueJackets.com… Huntington Green Seats: A minimum of 250 tickets are available for just $10 at the Nationwide Arena Box Office two hours prior to every home game… White Castle Rush CBJ student tickets: Student tickets are available for $15 (AEP Power Level) and $25 (Lower Level) at the box office beginning one hour prior to all home preseason games or online beginning at 12 p.m. on game days at www.BlueJackets.com... Military Appreciation Ticket: All active service personnel receive a free ticket to Blue Jackets home games by showing a valid, current military I.D. at the Nationwide Arena Box Office.